What Surprises You the Most?

And this is my Daily Cyn.........

Acne at My Age?

I am quickly approaching the big FIVE-O! I really don't mind joining the ranks of other Quinquagenarians as long as I don't look my age. This is why taking good care of my skin is essential.  Healthy, nourishing food, plenty of water and a daily skin care routine with pure and natural products is my formula for young, healthy-looking skin.



My skin still looks pretty darn good but lately I am breaking out with pimples! This was never an issue when I was younger. Blame it on menopause and all my hormones running amok.  My wacky hormones are causing my sebaceous glands to produce excess oil. Bacteria feed on the oil and multiply. My pores are getting clogged with all that bacteria.  A war is going on beneath my skin as white blood cells rush in to attack the invading bacteria. The end result: an eruption of pimples!

What do I do now?

There are all kinds of acne treatments available but I don't want to use expensive creams or potions that might cause irritation, flakiness, or additional dryness. I began to research alternatives and stumbled upon acne light treatment.  Blue LED light has been proven to kill acne-causing bacteria, clear up existing blemishes, and prevent further break-outs. This sounds great, but I don't have the funds or the time for frequent trips to a dermatologist for this kind of treatment.

I found a wonderful company that provides hand-held light therapy treatment devices I can use at home: Tanda Skincare. Check out their website for all their acne treatments and anti-aging skin care products.

And this is my Daily Cyn............

Ten Things I Am Totally Loving Right Now.............

Life is tough. Tougher than it ever has been............. not just for me, but for so many people.

Rather than sit around feeling sorry for myself and thinking about all the things I don't like, I decided to come up with ten things I am loving right now. I would like to share them with you:


1. My pretty pink mani-pedi.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so I decided to paint my fingers and toes light pink (instead of my usual vampy red) as a reminder that we still need a cure!

I am leaving the pink polish on all month long to serve as reminder to pray for those those battling breast cancer, to talk about prevention, early detection, self-examination, and the importance of scheduling a mammogram with every woman I meet, to help raise awareness by participating in activities and buying products that support breast cancer research, and to donate a portion of my funds to worthy organizations that are tirelessly searching for a cure.

While I believe we should be doing everything possible to raise awareness about all kinds of cancer every single day of the year, I am focusing on Breast Cancer Prevention all this month in my business as well.

Visit  True Metamorphosis and Metamorphosis for more info, tips and links.


2. Amy's Roasted Vegetable Pizza:

Yes, I know this is pre-packaged, frozen food and it's processed, but come on! We can't make everything from scratch all the time. Forget the pizza delivery boy and try this-- it's GOOD STUFF! Whole wheat pie crust, topped with roasted veggies and NO CHEESE!  This is so deliciously different; you will not miss the cheese.  I promise!

You can find this in the frozen food section of your local market.





3.  My Lack of Disposable Income:

What?!! Okay.... let me explain. Recreation and entertainment have always been high on my list of priorities. So is shopping for clothes and shoes! But now I no longer have a J.O.B or a weekly pay check.  I am building a business so I've had to cut back on everything!  This means compromise and improvise. What's a social butterfly to do? Come up with different, cheap (preferably free), fun and entertaining ideas. I can't afford to do all the live shows, fancy restaurants and nights out on the town so now I am getting together with family and friends for a game of Scrabble or Poker, hosting dinners with an ethnic theme (I have a Middle Eastern night in works right now), movie night (Hooray for Netflix!), and taking advantage of the free events at the local library. I am still having fun-- I'm just spending a lot less money. And everyone else is loving it, too! Why? Because we are spending quality time together instead sitting in a restaurant or on a bar stool somewhere. I still go out (we all need to get out of the house and meet new people now and then) but rather than several nights a week and every weekend, it's more like once a month. That makes the times I do go out, even more special.

I've also been forced to take an inventory of all my clothes and shoes and found wonderful stuff I forgot I had: sweaters and jeans with price tags still attached, boots I've never worn! Anything I did not wish to keep, I gave away or donated to charity. And I've discovered thrift stores! Hey, don't knock it 'til you try it! You can find incredible stuff in thrift stores. I just picked up a beautiful Ralph Lauren blazer. Never worn- tags still on it- for fifteen bucks! This is recycling at it's best!

4. Sleep
I am a nocturnal creature. I love the night time and the night life. Even if I am not out on the town, I hate sleep. I think it's a big waste of time and I only really need about three or four hours of shut-eye a night.  I've lived that way for years but given the level of emotional stress in my life right now, I am tired. Really tired. Three or four hours of sleep is obviously not enough. And, my son is living with me now and he gets up at 4AM every morning to catch the train. Instead of falling into bed at that time, now I am starting my day bright eyed and bushy-tailed. This means I am slipping beneath the covers with a good book every night no later than 10PM.  I've surrendered to sleep and I feel much better and healthier as a result.

5.  Writing Articles for Money
I love to write so why not get paid for it? I eventually want to write free-lance for health and wellness magazines but in the meantime, I need practice, practice, practice. So, I joined an organization that assigns me topics, products and companies to write about.  It's fun, educational and challenging. As long as I keep submitting good articles; money is deposited right into my Pay Pal account each month. What could be better than that?

6. Egyptian Belly Dancing

It's beautiful, graceful, and so sexy. Okay, maybe not quite so sexy when I do it, but I am getting there. Regardless of how many times we pick ourselves up from the floor because we can't stop laughing at each other, my girlfriends and I are having a blast. It's great exercise and the best part is - it's not costing us a dime! I bought a DVD ages ago and thought it would be a hoot to get together and attempt to learn this ancient dance.  Okay, sometimes we loosen up first with a glass of wine or two but at least we are burning  it off-- sort of!




7. Organic Sparkling Pomegrante Water:
I am known as the Grey Goose Gal!  I love my vodka, but vodka doesn't always love me. In fact, I gave up drinking for quite some time and then went out with a few friends and drank a little too much. I felt awful for two days. Now I reserve cocktails for special occasions only. Most of time, I am sipping Sparkling Pomegrante Water. It's good for me, it tastes great and it's not too sweet. Once in awhile I think how great it would taste mixed with vodka but I've never actually given into that temptation. The best part: it comes in a pretty glass bottle- NOT plastic!  Find it at Waldbaum's in the bottled water section.

8. The Bhagavad Gita:
This beloved, timeless classic has been on my reading list for years. It is universally acknowledged as a spiritual masterpiece and one the world's most important religious poems.  I recently found a translation that is easier to read yet still manages to capture the clarity, vigor and the intensity of the original Sanskrit. I joined a Gita discussion group on FACEBOOK but I haven't really had much time to participate. I try to read a small passage every day. It is beautiful, moving, haunting, and nourishing to my soul.

9.  Argan Oil:

Beauty and Youth in a bottle!  Pure Argan Oil is a legendary oil that's rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, and grown organically in Morocco.  Argan Oil can be used for many areas including hydrating and nourishing skin, as a daily moisturizer, skin treatment, treating spilt ends, and softening cuticles. It's gentle enough to use on all skin types and is believed to help with skin conditions including acne. Argan Oil easily absorbs into skin to give you a youthful, dewy glow, and has astonishing healing, conditioning, and antiaging properties to keep your skin and hair nourished and revitalized and to keep you looking beautiful from head to toe! I LOVE IT!  Buy it at Sephora.


10. Autumn:
I am a beach girl, but this year, I didn't have much time to spend soaking up the sun. Due to circumstances here at home, I also couldn't participate in all the BBQ's, parties and outdoor concerts or music fests I usually enjoy every summer.  I was a little sad when the cooler weather arrived, but I am very excited about the next few months. I simply adore the fall and the changing leaves, wine tasting out on the East End, comfy sweaters, snuggling beside a roaring fire, apple picking, home-made pumpkin pie, Halloween, Thanksgiving......

My list can go on and on but I'll stop here. The funny thing is, once I started thinking about all the things I love right now, I kept coming up with more and more.

 How about you? Can you come up with ten things you totally love right now? Get out your pen and paper and write them down. Share your list with someone you love. You can even share it all here. I would totally love that!!

And this is my Daily Cyn............

It's Not My Job To Make You Feel Important!

May I vent for a few minutes? I promise, I will end on a positive note!

The other day, I received an email from a "friend".  It read something like this: You haven't been on Facebook in awhile.  I guess I am not important........

The email concluded with an announcement that he will not contact me again but I know where to find him should I need him!


After I got over my initial shock, I fired back: Are you kidding me?

His frustration would be completely justified if he had been repeatedly calling, texting, or sending emails to which he never recieved a reply or response.  That's not the case at all. He's upset with me because lately I haven't been logging on to FACEBOOK at the same time he is on. He is taking it as a personal rejection.  Just because I am not available or accessible according to his schedule,  he no longer thinks he's important. And he is trying to make me feel guilty about it. I really don't need that kind of pressure!

This particular person knows some details about my life.  He knows how my world has been turned upside down and some of my fears and concerns about the people I love. I shared this with him because he recently went through a similar experience. You'd think he would be a little understanding. How sad that he measures his own importance by how accessible I am to him via a Social Networking site.

 Gee.....I'm sorry I haven't been on-line at the crack of dawn for our usual hour long FACEBOOK  chats these past few mornings, but I've been kind of busy!  Instead of sitting my ass down in front of my computer every morning leisurely sipping coffee and chatting with you so YOU feel important, I am up at 4AM these days actually taking care of important people!

I am a little hurt. Can you tell? Maybe I should have been more thoughtful and sent an e-mail alerting him  that I might not be on-line as often over the next few days.  Let him know not to expect a steady flow of the cute and funny comments I usually post on FACEBOOK.  I guess if I considered him important, that's exactly what I would do. Sorry, but I didn't plan this and I am bit preoccupied.  I am caring for my family and spending precious moments with someone I am not so sure will be here tomorrow!

What's really suprising is he's not the only one offended or angry with me because I don't have time or the frame of mind lately to listen to the drama, the gossip or to participate in all the fun and games.  There are actually a few so-called  friends who have recently written me off because I am not responding to their text messages quickly enough! Can you believe that? I am heart-broken. I guess it's my fault. I've spent my entire life entertaining people, making them feel good. Trying to make them feel important. Right now, I just don't have the strength or the energy to do everything and as a result, people are dropping out of my life like flies.

Perhaps I am bit childish and unrealistic when it comes to love and friendship. I think love and friendship means caring for others and not jumping to wild and crazy conclusions. It's about giving the other person the benefit of the doubt. When the person you claim to love suddenly becomes distant or quiet or starts declining invitations to parties and gatherings, maybe, just maybe something is wrong. Perhaps they're busy or hurting or overwhelmed. And....when you know things are not so perfect in their life, you cut them some slack or try to lighten their heavy load for a little while. This is when you invite them to dinner, buy them a drink or just stop by and spend time with them. Most importantly, you understand it's not about YOU but you know something is going on and you care enough to find out. You don't start spreading rumors and gossip or make them feel bad about not being able to make YOU feel good about YOU!


I am thankful for the handful of friends who truly love and understand me.  Friends who notice I've been MIA these days and have called or stopped by the house to make sure I am okay or to see if there is anything I need or want. Friends who call me up at 10:30 on a friday night and say, "Be ready in ten minutes!  We're going out dancing!" Friends who have not written me off because I am no longer as available as I used to be. Friends who don't need me to make them feel important. They already know what they mean to me.  I know what I mean to them.

It's not my job to make other people feel important. It's not your job either. No matter how hard we try, we will fail every time.  We will wear ourselves out trying to prove something they will never believe.  Don't let anyone put that responsiblity on you or blame you if they don't feel it.  And never, ever demand it from someone else! No one can make you feel important . You have to feel it and believe it yourself.

It is my job to love. It's OUR job to love.  Love takes care of everything.  Love gives strength, power, the ability to dream big dreams, and the belief that anything is possible.  Sometimes love means sacrifice.

Love yourself enough to let go of the ones who put unrealistic conditions and demands on you or are only 'in it' for what you can give or how you make them feel. Sometimes you won't know this about others until the proverbial sh*t hits the fan and you just can't give anymore. They will make you feel bad, sad and guilty. People who truly love you will feel bad, sad and guilty that they can't do enough for you!

I hope you are surrounded by love.

And this is my Daily Cyn.......

For the Gals..............

“A Woman in harmony with her spirit


is like a river flowing.

She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination

prepared to be herself

and only herself ”

― Maya Angelou
 
And this is my Daily Cyn................

Three Reasons Why You COULD Be Gaining Weight...............

You carefully watch everything you eat, exercise religiously, yet you still seem to packing on the pounds! Sound familiar?


WHAT  GIVES?



Here are three reasons why you could be gaining weight:

1. Stress:
When you are under stress, you automatically pack on the pounds. Here's why: Stress makes your heart race. Adrenaline and cortisol surge through your body when you are constantly tense and on alert. This causes blood sugar levels to rise.  There's no way to use all that extra sugar so your body stores it as fat.

Tell Tale Signs:
In addition to weight gain, you are physically and emotionally drained most of the time.  You might get sick easily and despite the fact you are so exhausted, you have trouble sleeping.  You also could have high blood pressure and cholesterol.

What to do:
An easy way to keep cortisol from spiking is to stop and take five deep breaths when you start to feel stressed. Try to set aside at least 15 minutes every day to do something relaxing. Exercise is also a great way to relieve stress. Try yoga, meditation, sex---ALL STRESS REDUCERS! Always take the time to prepare good, healthy meals for yourself, no matter how tired you feel. Avoid white flour and white sugar, especially when you are stressed. Stay away from energy drinks, excess coffee, soft drinks, and junk food. Lean protein, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables will help keep your blood sugar levels balanced. Try eating several small meals a day instead three big ones to keep your blood sugar steady.

Constant fatigue, rapid heart beat, hypertension or high cholestrol could be signs of serious health issues.  If you have any of these symptoms, please see your doctor. If your doctor has prescribed medication for any of these ailments, please do NOT stop taking it!

2. Underactive Thyroid:
Your thyroid is a gland that produces T3 and T4,  hormones that control your metabolism.  When your thyroid does not produce enough of these hormones,  your body begins to burn fat very slowly. If you're HONESTLY eating and exercising as you should be yet still gaining weight, you could have a thyroid problem..

Tell-Tale Signs:
You are always tired and cold, weight gain, dry skin. Excessive hair loss, constipation. You could also be experiencing puffiness in your legs and face.

What to do:
If you suspect your thyroid is underactive, the only way to be certain is to see your doctor. A simple blood test will determine whether or not this is the case.  If your thyroid is underactive, your doctor will most likely want to prescribe synthetic versions of T3 and T4.  This is a personal choice.  There are also supplements that aid in healthy thyroid function.  I highly recommend the book: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hormone Weight Loss by Alice Stanton, M.D.

3. Menopause:
This is ME!!! I recently entered the menopause stage of my life. I was happy to say goodbye to my monthly periods, the cramps and the mood swings, but I am not so thrilled about fighting so hard now to keep excess weight off!! This has been a constant battle for the past couple of years!

Why is this happening?

A few reasons: A woman´s hormones fluctuate prior to menopause and  is preparing for a permanently reduced hormonal level. The big side-effect:  in 90% of women in menopause--weight gain!

Here´s a list of the different hormones that can affect weight gain and how:


Estrogen: As a woman´s ovaries produce less estrogen, her body attempts to find the hormone in places other than the ovaries. Fat cells can produce estrogen, so her body works harder to convert calories into fat to increase estrogen levels. Unfortunately, fat cells don't burn calories the way muscle cells do, which causes weight gain.

Progesterone: Water retention is often linked to menopause because water weight and bloating are caused by progesterone levels. Though this doesn't actually result in weight gain, clothes can feel a bit tighter and a woman may feel as though she´s heavier.

Androgen: The amount of this hormone increases at the onset of menopause. It´s responsible for sending new weight to the mid-section instead of to the hips, which many women are accustomed to. Some women even have a nickname for the menopause years based on the mid-section weight gain: "the middle-age spread".


Testosterone: Testosterone helps a woman´s body create lean muscle mass out of the calories consumed. Muscle cells burn more calories than fat cells do, increasing metabolic rate. As testosterone levels drop, fewer calories are transformed into lean muscle mass, thus a woman´s metabolism winds down.


Insulin Resistance: Insulin resistance can occur during the menopausal years. This is when a woman´s body mistakenly turns every calorie taken in into fat. Over time, processed and refined foods may make a woman´s body resistant to insulin produced in the blood stream.

What to do:
Sorry, Sister! Unless you are lucky enough to be one of the 10% who don't gain weight during menopause, lifestyle change is the ONLY way to keep those pounds from piling on! If you are showing the signs of menopause: light or missed periods, hot flashes, or you're suddenly carrying most of your extra weight around your abdomen: now is the time to change your habits!

Regular exercise and an improved diet are crucial! You might also want to start including foods that help stimulate hormone production. Studies have shown that diets rich in foods that promote estrogen levels (such as soy, apples, alfalfa, cherries, potatoes, rice, wheat and yams) go a long way in helping regulate menopausal symptoms.

A drop in estrogen and progesterone can cause an increase in appetite and cause you to eat up to 67% more than usual!  A plant-based diet and alternative sources of protein can help. 67% more fruits and veggies is certainly much better than the equivalent in chips, cookies and cake!

Your lifestyle is an important factor here. You are going to gain weight during menopause if you do not:
reduce stress
exercise, exercise, exercise
change your diet
stop drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

You might have gotten away with it in when you were younger. If you put on a few pounds, all you had to do was walk an extra mile on the treadmill, cut out desserts, and switch to light beer. It's not so simple anymore. You can be still be hot and sexy during menopause--you're just gonna have to work harder at it!


If you just can't seem to win the battle of the bulge, it is possible that one or ALL of these reasons are to blame. Listen your body and do what it tells you.  Speak to your doctor or health care practitioner about the best course of treatment.  And of course, I am always available to help. Together we can put together a healthy lifestyle plan that works for YOU! 

Feel free to contact me anytime.

And this is my Daily Cyn........

This is me!!

"There comes a time when you have to stand up and shout: This is me, damn it! I look the way I look, think the way I think, feel the way I feel, love the way I love! I am a whole complex package. Take me... or leave me. Accept me - or walk away! Do not try to make me feel like less of a person, just because I don't fit your idea of who I should be and don't try to change me to fit your mold. If I need to change, I alone will make that decision.When you are strong enough to love yourself 100%, good and bad - you will be amazed at the opportunities that life presents you." — Stacey Charter


And this is my Daily Cyn..............